Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation

Hugh L Kearney

Jules G Kish

William L Noehren

Charles J Isabelle

A coil spring (50) for use in an overrunning spring clutch assembly having a central arbor (16) for centering and supporting the coil spring (50) in an overrunning operating mode. The coil spring (50) includes teaser coils (52) disposed at each end thereof, central coils (54) disposed intermediate the teaser coils (52), and transition coils (56) disposed between and adjoining the teaser coils (52) and the central coils (54). The coil spring (50) is characterized by each of the transition coils (56) having an interface surface (56.sub.IS) being substantially complementary to a corresponding external bearing surface (16.sub.ES) defined by the central arbor (16) of the spring clutch assembly. Such substantially complementary relationship limits the radial deflection of the transition coils (56) in the overrunning operating mode, thereby reducing vibratory bending stresses in the coil spring (50).

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Cheshire, CT, United States of America

Hugh L Kearney